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Cold aisle containment system for computer room

ODN and passive infrastructure knowledge brief Published 18 May 2024

Prepared for preliminary research by the GESTIONVAL ODN knowledge desk. Confirm network topology, split ratio, box or cabinet capacity, joint closure rating and loss budget against current standards and product documentation.

A Cold Aisle Containment (CAC) system encloses the cold supply air within a designated aisle, preventing it from mixing with hot exhaust air and ensuring efficient, reliable cooling for IT equipment.Overview

A cold aisle containment system is designed to isolate the cooled air supplied by CRAC (Computer Room Air Conditioning) or CRAH (Computer Room Air Handler) units from the hot exhaust air generated by servers and other IT equipment ( ). By creating a physical barrier around the cold aisle, the system ensures that cold air flows directly into the equipment intakes, maintaining a uniform and predictable temperature across all racks ( ).

Design and Components

CAC systems typically include:

  • End-of-aisle doors to prevent cold air from escaping the aisle ( ).
  • Ceiling panels or lids above racks to enclose the aisle ( ).
  • Structural frames made from aluminum or steel to support panels and doors ( ).
  • Gasketed seals to optimize containment performance and prevent air leakage ( ). The system can be custom-engineered to fit the specific layout of a data hall, including aisle length, width, and height, and can accommodate raised floor environments where cold air is supplied via an underfloor plenum ( ).
Benefits
  1. Improved Cooling Efficiency: By preventing the mixing of cold supply air with hot exhaust air, CAC systems ensure that servers receive the coldest air directly, reducing wasted energy and lowering cooling costs ( ).
  2. Enhanced Equipment Reliability: Maintaining consistent temperatures prevents hotspots and thermal stress, extending the lifespan of IT equipment ( ).
  3. Energy Savings: Containment allows higher supply air temperatures while maintaining safe operating conditions, which can significantly reduce energy consumption. For example, facilities have reported annual energy savings of hundreds of thousands of kWh and utility rebates after implementing CAC ( ).
  4. Scalability and Flexibility: Modular designs allow CAC systems to adapt to different data center sizes and layouts, supporting future reconfigurations ( ).
Implementation Considerations
  • Cold vs. Hot Aisle Containment: Cold aisle containment is often easier to implement because hot aisles may have obstructions like cable trays, and cold air naturally flows downward from raised floors ( ).
  • Integration with Existing Infrastructure: CAC systems work effectively with raised access floors, CRAC/CRAH units, and fire suppression systems ( ).
  • Monitoring and Maintenance: Properly designed containment allows precise monitoring of intake temperatures, ensuring IT equipment operates within manufacturer specifications ( ).
Conclusion

A cold aisle containment system is a critical component for modern data centers, providing efficient airflow management, energy savings, and improved equipment reliability. By enclosing the cold aisle and directing cooled air precisely to server intakes, CAC systems prevent overheating, reduce operational costs, and support sustainable data center operations ( ).

Cold aisle containment system for computer room - GESTIONVAL ODN INFRASTRUCTURE S.L. [PDF]

Cold aisle containment system for computer room

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Technical note

This reference is intended for preliminary ODN and passive infrastructure research. Topology, split ratio, box or cabinet capacity, closure rating, cable type, test limits and applicable standards must be verified for the specific project.

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